The presence requirement
For citizenship by grant, you must have been physically present in New Zealand as the holder of a residence class visa (or as someone entitled to live in NZ indefinitely):
- for at least 1,350 days in total during the 5 years immediately before you apply, and
- for at least 240 days in each of those 5 years.
The five "years" are 12-month periods counted back from your application date, not calendar years. The 240-day rule catches people who have plenty of days overall but one year with a long stint overseas. The calculator shows every year separately so you can see which one is short.
How days are counted
The day you leave New Zealand and the day you return both count as days in New Zealand. Only the full days in between are absences. For example, flying to Fiji on 1 June and returning on 14 June is 12 days absent. Days before your residence class visa started don't count, even if you were living in New Zealand on a work or student visa.
Worked example
Your resident visa started on 1 June 2021 and you haven't travelled. Four of your five years are full, so you easily pass 1,350 days in total. But the oldest year must still contain 240 days after 1 June 2021, so the earliest date that works is 27 January 2026, not June 2026.
Other requirements (not checked here)
- An intention to continue living in New Zealand.
- Good character.
- Enough English for everyday life.
- Knowledge of the responsibilities and privileges of NZ citizenship.